Variety iconVarietySep 17, 2026

Director and Producer James Wan on YouTube Filmmakers: ‘You Don’t Even Need to Be in the System Anymore to Get Something Made’

The phenomenon of YouTube breakout stars-turned-feature filmmakers is nothing new for director, writer and producer James Wan. He's been scouting this kind of talent at his own production studio Atomic Monster for decades.

Director and Producer James Wan on YouTube Filmmakers: ‘You Don’t Even Need to Be in the System Anymore to Get Something Made’

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The phenomenon of YouTube breakout stars-turned-feature filmmakers is nothing new for director, writer and producer James Wan.

He's been scouting this kind of talent at his own production studio Atomic Monster for decades.

"The very first movie that we made at Atomic Monster was 'Lights Out,'" Wan recalls.

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The phenomenon of YouTube breakout stars-turned-feature filmmakers is nothing new for director, writer and producer James Wan. He's been scouting this kind of talent at his own production studio Atomic Monster for decades. "The very first movie that we made at Atomic Monster was 'Lights Out,'" Wan recalls.

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"David Sandberg, when he made 'Lights Out,' […]

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